Swezey Pond

The planets aligned today and I was able to go fishing. Basically family was not going to be around after I got out of work. So when the workday was over I rushed home, grabbed the fishing gear and headed out to Cranberry Bog home to Swezey Pond. Swezey Pond is a little fishing hole located in Riverhead close to where I live. The place is primarily very shallow and the lily pads hide that fact well. Still there is a channel and a few deep holes scattered around the pond that can provide for decent fishing. I discovered this place on a fieldtrip with my college class when we went there to look at the Cedar Swamp trees that grow around the pond along with the native aquatic and carnivorous plants. I have not fished there in years, but for some reason it came to mind as a good spot to hit. Now this is the third time fishing and my rustiness is showing.

After parking the car I looked at the temperature, 92 degrees in the shade, nice. Still nothing was gonna stop me. I grabbed my gear out of the trunk, put on my swampers and started down the trail. Since there was no wind the flies were pretty bad. Most were not the biting type but since I was already sweating bullets they stuck my bare skin, not a good feeling. After a short walk I laid eyes on Swezey Pond. Well as you can see its lily pad central on earth, the place has not changed.

The only open water had a rather large snapping turtle swimming around causing the fish to swim away. I tired throwing a frog, but no takers and the worm gave me the same results. Time to move on, you won this round turtle. The next opening was in a more flooded section with a small channel running through it. It was shady, but since it was mainly bog, the mosquitoes were ruthless. Running away from that spot I managed to get back on the main trail and start to walk to the next spot. I came to the old footbridge where I could see a nice Largemouth swimming around, but since I had made a mad dash away from the skeeters, he was spooked. So back on the trail I go. Coming to another footbridge, I noticed someone placed a stone gargoyle overlooking the stream. Perhaps it meant something, or perhaps someone just wanted to get rid of a bad Christmas present? At least he was not getting mauled by bugs.

The next area I came to was by the weir and sure enough it was chocked out; still had to fish it. I placed my gear down and started to cast and walk in the water. I watched as a few wakes charged towards the frog, but nothing happened. Looking back now I should have pitched a jig or tied on one of the many mosquitos that were still feasting on me. To make things worse, I stepped in the wrong spot, my foot sank in the mud and the water spilled into the boot, great. Sweating and chewed up I got back on the trail and started the speedy jaunt back to the car. Still not wanting to be defeated I decided to try the open spot one more time. I tied on a pumpkinseed worm, gave a light pitch by some pads and waited. I noticed the line move ever so slightly and felt a light bump on the rod blank. I lifted the rod and set the hook, fish on. After a really short fight, a Pumpkinseed Sunfish showed himself and I felt great. Hey, a thirty something fisherman that does not fish much cant be choosy. After taking a picture I released him to fight another day. Beating a hasty retreat back to the car I could not help feeling good that even though it was only 45 minutes, I still managed to get out fishing and catch a fish. Perhaps next trip the big one will show herself.

Until then, good luck fishing.